TURNIP FLEA BEETLE. 119 



ing artificial manure before sowing, or drilling it 

 together with the seed. A few hundredweights of 

 superphosphate, or other manure suitable to the land, 

 even if there is a good supply of farm manure also, 

 will run the plant on rapidly through the growth of 

 the seed-leaves ; and when the rough leaves are come 

 the greatest danger is past. 



"Where a crop hangs back, the use of the water-cart 

 has been found useful, and also putting in the seed 

 with the water-drill ; but if weather should be dry at 

 the time of sowing, there is fear of the small supply of 

 moisture put in by the water-drill causing harm (by 

 the mere temporary effect) rather than permanent 

 growth. 



When attack is present, various fertilisers have been 

 found to do good by pushing the plant on ; but all 

 applications intended to serve by removing " Fl}^," or 

 killing it, should be used either when the deiv is on at 

 night or early morning, or during damp by day. 



The Turnip Fly leaps away when it finds attack 

 coming ; but if the dew or slight rain is on it, it can- 

 not leap, because the moisture clogs the hind legs, by 

 means of which it takes its great springs. Therefore, 

 such measures as driving sheep through infested fields, 

 or laying on special dressings, often fail, because they 

 may have been done at the time when the Fly is well 

 able to avoid receiving harm. Turnip Fly attack is 

 one of those that it would be well to enter on, if possible, 

 in full detail, as an instance of those which only last 

 for a short time, and which we conquer by methods 

 having for the most part very little to do with the in- 

 sect itself. We know that the Turnip is chiefly in 

 danger whilst in the seed-leaves ; we know exactly 

 what will suit its growth in this state, and we make 

 ready the ground accordingly ; also we clear away 

 weeds which would support the "Fly" when the crops 

 are not present for it to feed on. 



These principles may serve also in treatment of the 

 Mustard-seed Beetle (Fig. 91, p. 116). This shelters 



